Spectrum Connection: April
From the desk of Dave Smalley: BUSTING THE COMFORT ZONE.
I want to go back and revisit a previous thought regarding The Comfort Zone, and how we need to get out of it to get more out of our life. As you may recall, we talked about how if someone wants to take up running, that on their first run they stop at oh, let’s say a half mile, tired, but pleased. On the next run, as they approach the half-mile mark, they begin to get weary and uncomfortable, so again they stop at the half-mile mark, tired, but yet pleased.
Do you see what I am getting at? The person that does an admirable job, in this case running a half mile, will get no further than a half mile UNLESS they get out of their comfort zone. Bust through and get uncomfortable! If one runs further and further, pressing themselves into an uncomfortable place but continuing to run, soon they have covered a mile, then two miles, and so on. So, now what is the feeling one now has at the half-mile point on that two-mile run? Well, it will, of course, be much more comfortable; it won’t be uncomfortable until much later! One has to greatly expanded their comfort zone, increase the realm of what is easily possible. They have to harden their mind to know that a half mile no longer defines them.
Running is just the example I chose. It is up to you to determine how you are going to get out of your comfort ZONES, and I do mean zones. Maybe it is some things in your professional life, like talking to customers or interacting with clients, or maybe it is keeping professional relationships. Perhaps you find you limit your interactions with these people to when you need them, or when they call, or worst of all, you just assume that if you don’t hear from them that everything is just fine. You do this because it is comfortable. Bust out of your comfort zone! Make one uninitiated call a day, then two, then more. Bust out of that comfortable place, and put yourself out there. Harden your mind to your new comfortable place, expanding day after day.
Maybe you are the person that agrees that this is a good idea and that you are going to start that tomorrow. Yeah, right, tomorrow. You are ALWAYS going to start tomorrow because tomorrow is comfortable. Today in uncomfortable, because today means you are going to take that leap. You know that you are always going to start…tomorrow…and as they say, tomorrow is always just a day away. You have to start now! But just like the running analogy, if you are a half-miler, no one is saying you have to go out and run five miles. You need to add a tenth or a quarter mile each time you go out. But most importantly, you have to start.
Wanting to be a better person is in-deed a kernel of a start, but it is just a wish without action. And what you are currently comfortable with is clearly not getting the job done. It is time to really look at yourself, I mean really look at yourself and explore how comfortable you are, and determine what area you are going to bust out of first. I can promise you that once you start, and you make that committed choice, you will see results, which will inspire you, even more, to get out of your comfort zones in other areas.
Getting out of your comfort zone will NOT make you stronger, it will only reveal how strong you are. When I think about the areas that I can choose to get out of my own comfort zone, I find it a bit daunting, as there are SO many. But I am learning that every area I tackle gives me more momentum in the area I want to push next. I use the word push, as to me, that is how it feels. It is like I am pushing walls back, creating an ever-increasing space to exist in, to thrive in. Pushing these barriers is indeed, at times, really uncomfortable, but the space I am creating is wonderful and is becoming my new comfortable. And I know I need to continue to push.
Where are you going to start? Pick something that is important to you! Make the committed choice to bust out of your comfort zone and create a wonderful space of your own. With great respect, wishing you and yours only the best!
-Dave
From the Desk of Melanie Parker: What’s Your View?
What’s the view like from where you are right now? This could be answered in a physical sense, what you see with your eyes, but it could also be answered in an introspective sense too. It’s all about perspective, a particular attitude, your personal point of view.
We are each in control of our view and what we want it to be; even what we want others to see, or not to see. Your personal perspective means that you are in total control and not dependent upon the thoughts or influence of someone else. Your mindset holds the key to what you can do.
I recently had a conversation with a sweet friend about what energy, per se, we project into the world. Does worrying about the what-if’s come back to haunt us? Does projecting all of the good vibes pay us back? Good karma, bad karma.
Having a positive perspective is empowering! We all have the power to change our “view,” the power to create change, to live our best life. I hope that you’re living your best life and that it’s in full color!
Cheers,
-Mel
“The song in our heart ultimately sustains us. Each of us possesses the ability to choose how we perceive life, determine what attitudes and viewpoint to endorse, and assign meaning to personal existence.”
― Kilroy J. Oldster, Dead Toad Scrolls
Wicked Whisk was selected to be the caterer for the US ABB Awards Dinner, at Lone Star Flight Museum on March 2nd. We served a plated dinner of Seared Tenderloin and Blackened Salmon to a crowd of 200. It was a beautiful night in a fabulous venue, and we can’t wait to return! ~Sandra B.
2019 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®
Wicked Whisk Catering Receives Distinction in the 11th Annual WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards
Conroe, March 14, 2019. — Wicked Whisk Catering was announced a winner of the renowned WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® in Conroe. WeddingWire, Inc., a leading global online wedding marketplace, annually celebrates the top wedding professionals on WeddingWire across more than 20 service categories, from venues and caterers to florists and photographers. These distinguished vendors exhibit superior professionalism, responsiveness, service, and quality when interacting with the five million monthly consumers who turn to WeddingWire to help ease their wedding planning process. Wicked Whisk Catering received this esteemed award based on their outstanding experience working with real newlyweds. WeddingWire features more than three million reviews, and these notable vendors all received prompt, reliable, and quality feedback. “We are celebrating our 11th annual Couples’ Choice Awards, where we honor our vendors who help make millions of couples’ big day one to remember,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Not only are these hard- working and distinguished wedding professionals, such as Wicked Whisk Catering, a fundamental part of the wedding planning process for engaged couples, but they help make WeddingWire a trusted source for wedding planning. We congratulate everyone on this well-deserved achievement.” Wicked Whisk Catering is honored to be one of the top wedding businesses in Conroe on WeddingWire.com.
For more information about Wicked Whisk Catering, please visit us on WeddingWire. To learn more about the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®, please visit www.weddingwire.com/couples-choice-awards.
About WeddingWire, Inc. WeddingWire, Inc. is a leading global online marketplace connecting consumers with local wedding professionals and a suite of comprehensive tools that make wedding planning easier. Operating within a $250 billion industry, WeddingWire helps 16 million users every month find the right team of wedding professionals to personalize and pull off their special day. Consumers around the world are able to read more than 5 million vendor reviews and search, compare and book from a directory of over 500,000 vendors local to them.
Founded in 2007, the WeddingWire portfolio serves couples and wedding professionals across 15 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The company has more than 950 employees and is headquartered in Washington, DC, with international headquarters in Barcelona, Spain.
Welcome to the team, Donna!
Hello! My name is Donna Nugier, and I recently joined the Spectrum family as a Venue Accountant. I am originally from Louisiana, and I have spent most of my accounting career in the oil and gas industry. My husband, Billy, and I stay busy with our 2 daughters. Alaina (13) is a competitive soccer player for the Houston Dash Youth, and Carly (10) is a competitive swimmer for SSAN. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, and exercising. I appreciate the opportunity to work for Spectrum, and I look forward to learning the hospitality industry and meeting everyone!
Employee Profile: Kim Smidden
How did you get introduced to Spectrum? I met Dave when Maverick and my kids were young and swam for the Woodlands Swim Team around 1996. Spectrum was involved in some of the team’s catering events. Dianne Holmes’ children later joined the team, and she started working for Spectrum. Quite a few years later, when my kids were older, she asked if I would be interested in working part-time in Spectrum’s Accounting Department.
When did you start, and what is your role at Spectrum? I started part-time in July 2003, but part-time didn’t last long and was working full-time within a year. When I started in the Accounting Department, it was just Peggy, Dianne, and myself. Brenda joined us soon after, as we worked in the trailer and then former “Bunk House.” I started doing Accounts Payable, all the credit card accounts, and bank recs, but soon learned all aspects of the accounting system. As Spectrum has grown, so has our department, and now my focus is Accounts Payable and Bank Reconciliations, but I can pitch in most anywhere.
What do you love most about your job? The best part of my job is the interaction I get to have with employees across all segments of Spectrum. I also enjoy dealing with our vendors and setting up new vendors as we open new venues. There are so many interesting people that we get to interact with daily, weekly, and monthly in this business.
Tell us about your family! My husband, Alan, and I have been married 38 years this August. We met in college in Colorado, then moved to Texas after college. We have lived in the Woodlands since 1984, (boy have we seen it grow) and have 3 great children, Alyssa, Emily, and Scott. All have worked for Spectrum at some point in time at an event or in the warehouse. Alan has also been a part of Spectrum as one of our vendors, as he’s han-dled our commercial insurance for the past 16 years. All of our kids are now married. Alyssa and her husband, Daniel, live in Austin. Emily and her husband, Brandol, and 3 of our grandsons, Everett, Sawyer, and Calvin live in Virginia. Scott and his wife, Lindsey, live in Phoenix and just gave us our 4th grandson, Lo-gan, a few weeks ago. We are looking forward to meeting him next month.
What are your interests when time permits away from our crazy world? I love to visit my grandsons and spend as much time as I can with them. We also love to travel to places we haven’t been, and we really love to hike. I enjoy working out, swimming, biking, and working in our vegetable garden. I also love walking my 2 dogs, Buddy and Holly.
Why Spectrum? One word, Family, everyone that works for Spectrum feels like we are part of a family!
Do you have a favorite event, if so, which one and why? I would have to say that the Town Center events, as they have been part of the community for years and years, and everyone in the Woodlands looks forward to them. I also loved doing the Luis Palau Festivals that we did quite a few years ago around the country. Working with the people involved in those events was a true blessing and inspiration; much like Spectrum has been to me and my family for the past 16 years.
Events
Valero Texas Open 4/1-4/7
Woodlands Waterway Arts festival 4/13-4/14
High Water Music Festival 4/13-4/14
Trondosso Music & Arts Festival 4/13-4/14
Insperity Invitational 4/13-4/14
Shaky Knees Music Festival 5/3-5/5
AT&T Byron Nelson 5/6-5/12
Shaky Beats Music Festival- 5/3-5/5
Charles Schwab Challenge 5/20-5/26
Governor’s Ball 5/31-6/2
RBC Canadian Open 6/3-6/9
Bonaroo Music Festival 6/13-6/16
American Family Insurance Champion 6/17-6/23
Red/Hot & Blue 7/4
Freedom Over Texas 7/4
John Deere Classic 7/8-6/14
Forecastle Music Festival 7/12-7/14
Pinknic Music Festival 7/19-7/28
Mo Pop Music Festival 7/27-7/28
Birthdays
Mareki Liberona 4/2
William Knockenhauer 4/03
Patrick Najera 4/03
Aaron Wilkinson 4/04
Rye Crofter 4/06
Jeff Davis- Towle 4/08
Tim Hill 4/16
John Mahon 4/22
Briana Avila 4/24
Geoffrey Thompson 4/24
Brian Strom 4/27
Eric Mendoza 4/28
Jill Nenning 4/28
Angie Hornik 4/30
Milestones
Oscar Romero 4/01/2006
Valentin Herrera 4/01/2009
Derek Mills 4/01/2010
Holly Criscuolo 4/01/2016
Lupe Mata 4/03/2017
Rye Crofter 4/03/2018
Marcelo Liberona 4/03/2018
Jozlynn Summers 4/03/2018
Claudio Atilano 4/04/2006
Joe Martinez 4/07/2001
Mason Denton 4/09/2018
Jeff Davis-Towle 4/11/2009
Sandra Bell 4/11/2011
Rafael Contreras 4/14/2007
Kevin Kren 4/16/2012
Sorangel Ayala 4/22/2015
Katheryn Irwin 4/24/2016
Kathryn Sweeney 4/26/2017
Daniel Ayala 4/29/2016